Montoursville students are small but mighty at District Band

The music department at MAHS is active year-round, but it kicks into high gear in the winter. On February 4-6, four of its musicians headed to Towanda for the PMEA District 8 Band Festival.

Along with director Mr. Chris Morgan, seniors Alice Ravert, Savanna Farley, Evelyn Weng, and freshman Noah Chow spent two-and-a-half days playing in an auditioned instrumental ensemble for grades 9-12, an event run by the District 8 branch of the Pennsylvania Music Educator’s Association.

PMEA holds band, orchestra, and choir festivals at three levels each year – District, Region, and All-State. Ravert and Weng have attended choir and band festivals, respectively, at a variety of levels. 

“This [was] my first time auditioning for the district band,” said Chow, “but I’ve done other honors bands.” 

Since this is an auditioned festival, students must prepare their music before the festival – and, everyone prepares differently.

“I briefly glanced over my music and made sure to mark any trouble spots as I practiced,” said Ravert.

 “[I] read through the music a couple times before the festival,” said Weng, who said she enjoys participating because she loves the learning experience, rather than the competition.

“I practiced my music extensively, and I felt prepared until the actual audition,” said Chow.

This is true for many musicians – they feel prepared until they walk into the audition room, then, sometimes, auditions don’t go as well as they hope.

This is partially due to the stress of a festival. The schedule is harsh – even on the first day. Leave school Wednesday, stop for dinner, arrive at the host school, and sit in an auditorium and wait for instructions (for hours). Students get put into a holding room with your instrument group and wait some more, then go audition. After the night is over, students who are staying in the hotel will get on a bus with their suitcases and go there, and commuters will head home and prepare for the early morning ahead.

Rehearsals, even though they are long, are a highlight of the festival for many students. During rehearsals and the concert, students get to work with a guest conductor. The guest conductor for this festival was Dr. Andrew Yozviak from West Chester University, where he is the Chair of the Department of Ensembles and Conducting, Director of Bands, and Professor of Conducting. 

“I really liked this guest conductor and the way he taught and conducted,” Weng said. “He managed the time we had well and gave us reasonable breaks.”

“He was the greatest conductor I’ve ever had; kind, passionate, and made the songs convey the right emotions,” said Chow.

Overall, festivals are a crazy experience – there’s so much that can pack into three days! The music is hard, but students always have a good time!

“It was challenging and achievable, so it was fun,” said Chow.

Featured image (at top): Montoursville’s District Band attendees pose for a photo by the PMEA banner before the concert. They auditioned and participated in the festival from February 4-6. Photo by Chris Morgan